The parliamentary Opposition is accusing the government of being underhanded following news that Jamaica has deferred its application to a United Nations body for the Portland Bight protected area to be declared a biosphere reserve.

It was confirmed last Friday that Jamaica's application to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for the designation was derailed.

Sections of the Portland Bight area have been proposed by Chinese investors for the development of a port facility.

Opposition Spokesman on the Environment, Dr Andrew Wheatley says the move suggests that the government has been underhanded and it should address the nation on the matter.

The Climate Change Ministry has explained that it wants to revisit the zoning issue.

However, that has been dismissed as fallacious by Ingrid Parchment, executive director of the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation.

The application process to the UN body has been ongoing for the last 8 to 10 years.